‘We have to save Zoe’s Place so we, and other families, don’t feel alone’

For the first two years of their daughter Lottie’s life, Kirsty and Francis Moore felt totally alone.

After being given the devastating news that she had cerebral palsy, it seemed they were just left to get on with their lives.

Kirsty said:

“And that’s why Zoe’s Place is so important. We have been going to Zoe’s Place for just over a year and it means we don’t feel alone anymore.

“We have angels there who support us and help us, not just Lottie, but our whole family; and we have met other parents like us.

“We would be lost without Zoe’s Place. It’s so important and we need to save it.”

Lottie was four months old when primary teacher Kirsty, 33, from Huyton, realised something was wrong.

Already a mum to Lilly, who’s now five, she says:

“Lottie wasn’t doing the same things that I knew Lilly had done at that age.

“It was hard. Because it was during Covid, we were told over the phone that Lottie had brain damage, that she had level five cerebral palsy, and then we were left alone. We had no information, no help, and no support.”

Lottie’s condition means that there is very little chance that she will ever walk or talk. She is still unable to sit up or crawl, or roll over: “She is very immobile,” says Kirsty.

And their three-year-old girl wakes up constantly in the night as her condition causes her muscles to spasm and leave her in great pain.

It was another mum at a children’s centre she went to who told Kirsty about Zoe’s Place.

“And when we were accepted and went there for the first time last year, it felt like Christmas.

“Lottie has physiotherapy to help strengthen her muscles, to try to get her to reach some of her milestones and help her mobility, but at Zoe’s Place she is able to have hydrotherapy which is so beneficial to her.

“She loves it and feels a freedom when she’s in the warm water. Zoe’s Place sends us photos and you can see how happy she is, and we notice a difference in the muscle spasms (the dystonia) for days after she’s been.

“Lottie stays over for respite and it gives me and her dad, who works long shifts, the chance to sleep and recharge our batteries, and give attention to Lilly; and Lottie has a better night’s sleep because they have a support that we don’t have yet that stops her getting into awkward positions when she’s in bed.”

Kirsty goes on:

“Because of Zoe’s Place we have met other families with children with cerebral palsy and it’s helped us to share experiences and advice.

“And that helps Lilly who asks all sorts of questions as to why Lottie can’t do things.

“She goes on siblings’ days out to places like Farmer Ted’s and bowling and soft play. And it not only helps her to understand, it’s a reward because children like her are little carers. Lilly does so much with her little sister, she helps with her physio because we have to do chest physio three times a day to help Lottie clear secretions that build up in her lungs, as well as physio to help her muscles, and deep pressure physio to ease the pain.”

Zoe’s Place is just 15 minutes away from their home, and to Kirsty, Francis – and Lilly – it is a lifeline.

“We have got a community now and the staff there, not just the nurses but the fundraising staff and even the caretaker, are like one big family to us.

“I have had counselling through Zoe’s Place to give me strategies for when I’m feeling I can’t cope – I can even have a massage there. It’s all these little things that help families like ours.

“Lottie is a such a social and happy person when she is out and about, she loves animals and going to farms and the zoo. But at home it is hard – and thanks to Zoe’s Place we can access help.”

Kirsty and her family went on the fundraising walk for Zoe’s Place in the city last weekend and they have a poster in their window that asks people to help save the hospice for Lottie and her friends.

“When we did the walk people in their cars peeped their horns, and others gave us bottles of water and donations as we went along. It was amazing to know that there is so much support out there.

“It’s incredible to see how the community, how Liverpool, has come together to get behind us. I hope it can be saved.

“When Zoe’s Place contacted us to say they had to close, it was the worst phone call of my life, second only to being told Lottie had cerebral palsy. My heart sank.

“It’s frightening to think about what we will do if Zoe’s Place isn’t there, so please, please, help us to save it.”